Assistant Director of Stewarship and Donor Relations

Job Title

Assistant Director of Stewarship and Donor Relations

Agency

Texas A&M University - Commerce

Department

Vice President of Philanthropy & Engagement

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Commerce, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations is an integral member of the Philanthropy and Engagement Division, responsible for the planning and implementation of a program to advance cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, retention and recognition of the university’s generous benefactors. Additionally, the position creates and provides hands-on support and expertise for strategic stewardship events and partners with others to create and execute an annual communications plan that informs, emphasizes donor impact, and highlights student, faculty, and alumni success.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position requires a dynamic and collaborative individual who will play an important role in the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Philanthropy and Engagement Division. This opportunity allows for broad impact of Philanthropy and Engagement operations, highlighting stories that underscore how donors make a difference in students and faculty members’ lives.  

Key chararcteristics for this role is excellent customer service, a collaborative spirit with internal and external stakeholders, and a love of storytelling and design.

Key priorities and areas of responsibility for this position will include:

Stewardship, Communications, and Reporting – Ensures effective and impactful stewardship of donors.

Creates content including acknowledgment letters, impact reports, donor anniversaries, and digital content. Ensures consistency in Division messaging, audience focus, and delivery method. Leads all aspects of stewardship event planning, execution, and follow up in close collaboration with key staff and campus partners.

• Works with Alumni Engagement, Annual Programs, and Directors of Philanthropy to draft and implement stewardship plans.

• Coordinates and streamlines processes in donor-centered philosophy.
• Tracks donor relations and stewardship activities in the established databases to enhance relationships and increase the likelihood of continued contributions.
• Creates innovative programs and projects to thank and steward donors at all levels.
• Designs, documents, and implements systematic and integrated stewardship programs that encompasses donor recognition events, impact and endowment reports, donor-funded scholarship recipient information, and naming opportunities.
• Tracks and reports on the use of endowed and excellence funds as well as annual gifts by working with internal stakeholders and data.
• Manages the donor acknowledgement process ensuring acknowledgements are produced in a timely manner and that acknowledgement letters are relevant and impactful.
• Responsible for the review and control of all gift acknowledgements, thank you letters, impact reports, and endowment/ student scholarship recipient narrative reports.
• Proactively supports the stewardship responsibilities of the philanthropy staff by assisting them in establishing and coordinating individualized stewardship plans for donors and colleges/units.
• Manages ThankView and other digital stewardship opportunities for individuals and donor segments.
• Manages the communications calendar for the division to ensure an even distribution of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship communications to donors throughout the year.
• Plans and supports donor recognition and stewardship events across campus, including scholarship galas, luncheons, naming events, and athletics recognition.

Gift Processing – Serves as the back up gift processor to ensure that gifts are consistently recorded and receipted in a timely manner throughout the year.  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience / Knowledge / Skills: Six (6) years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, part time experience will be considered. Excellent organization and time-management skills to function efficiently in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment. Excellent attention to detail and commitment to high standards of service excellence. Excellent communication and customer service skills to effectively interact with all levels of management, staff, alumni, donors, vendors, and departments across campus. Clear and concise business writing skills. Effective consensus builder. Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Word processing and Excel spreadsheets. 
• Ability to: Multi-task and work cooperatively as part of a team. Fast learner, attention to detail, and utilization of department specific information systems. Ability to prioritize, organize, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Other Requirements: Other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED EDUCATION / SKILLS/ EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree preferred. Experience within an academic unit/division in higher education. Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other CRM including query, export, event module functionality and award management software. Experience with the following University Systems including Famis, Banner, and Mane Market. Experience with video editing or ThankView as well as graphic designing for direct mail communications. Experience with InDesign.

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS:

Student workers

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

During the application process the “My Experience ” page has a section provided “Attachments (Resume/CV, References, Cover letter, etc.) ” to upload required documents. 

• Use the Upload button to add each document.
• You will be able to upload up to 5 documents. Be aware that the maximum size allowed for any one document is 5MB.
• All documents must be electronically submitted through the Texas A&M Online Employment Services website to be considered.
• Incomplete or improperly submitted applications may be excluded from consideration.
• Please do not withdraw your application in an attempt to upload a missing document, instead please email HR for help.

Please provide the following documents :

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• Three professional references with complete contact information (Unsolicited letters of recommendation will not be considered).
• Transcripts (Unofficial will be accepted with application. Official transcripts are required upon acceptance of verbal offer).
  If transcripts are from an international institution, it is the responsibility of the prospective staff member to have the transcripts translated and evaluated by an approved credential evaluator.

If you need assistance, please contact us at [email protected]

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/AffirmativeAction/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.